Allison A Janssen

Tag: daily backpacker life

  • Singapore: a squeaky clean whirlwind

    Singapore: a squeaky clean whirlwind

    As we always do, we began our adventure to the next country by first searching from the hostel in our current location for a place to crash after the long days. Of course, as travelers, we heard many times how expensive Singapore is and how a travelers’ few spare dollars cruise a unequaled, rather short distance, in this high-tech, glamorous, squeaky-clean city. We looked in every section of the tinsy tiny country for a decent hostel at a decent price. At the time, the price selection was much higher than what it currently is today on Hostel World. We ended up settling for a place for $17 Singaporian dollars a night for the both of us, in a dormitory room. These prices seemed crazy to us, because in all the other countries we had traveled, $17 between the both of us, normally got us private accommodation with breakfast included. Rob is all about the breakfast included. Anyways, one lazy afternoon, we headed out of KL, by train, for Singapore. We arrived rather late at night to our hostel, which took us a good while to get to and cost us about $14 using the underground. To sleep, to move about, to eat, to drink, to breathe.. well, is expensive in Singapore. But, maybe all this is why the country stays so beautiful? So squeaky-clean. Other than the cost to live, Singapore is actually pretty cool. It boasts cuisines from all of its neighbors (in addition to its own), it has a great nightlife, interesting museums, a really enthusiastic athletic community, beautiful parks and great transit systems. I’d like to think of it as the Asian New York, although I am sure other big Asian cities like Tokyo would disagree. But, its a thought.

    My most memorable experience in Singapore would be the evening that Rob and I snuck into a hoity toity hotel, pretended that we were guests and spent the evening gallivanting around all the hotels’ amenities, such as the hot tub and the pool. Little did they know, we bought cheap liquor and 7-11 cokes and downed them right before we entered. Such is the life of a broke traveling spontaneous couple. It was fun, huh honey?

  • Same Thailand, new stops, beautiful friendships, and gratitude for it all

    Same Thailand, new stops, beautiful friendships, and gratitude for it all

    [JUST SO YOU KNOW, this is not a normal butterfly story. It is 7 am and I just feel like lazy writing. ]

    When I left Bangkok in 2012, I was not really ready to leave. I just loved living there so much. The simplicity of things, my yoga beginnings, Buddhism, the Thai culture, close friends, the food and the travel opportunities, made me want to make it my permanent home. Looking back, I am so thankful I did indeed leave, for meeting Rob again and many other beautiful parts of my life awaited; but at the time, leaving was really difficult, because I could have also easily stayed. It is funny how when you look back on your life, you can clearly see the energetic forces that were pulling you a certain way. Of course, I would leave. And when I returned, I got to bring my other half with me. Rob too, was supremely excited about Thailand. Thailand was already very special for us both, because when I was living there in 2012, is when we began our very long distance, growing relationship. Messages, calls, random texts, all hints of my future that awaited back in Europe. In any event, excitement filled the air, as we departed from Nepal and headed in a rickety Nepali plane with bad ratings towards Bangkok.

    After our short, somewhat nerve racking flight, we arrived fresh and ready to enjoy some good times with great friends. Three of my dear buddies were still living in BKK and two of our Dutch friends were headed to join us, just a week after our arrival. Good times were surely to come.

    We spent the first week of our three weeks in Thailand, in Bangkok, staying with our friends Dawn and Donovan in the expat part of BKK in their “freaking cool” apartment. It was really great because they live in the same area as I use to during my 2012 stint. So, I got to enjoy revisiting all of my old stomping ground spots with Rob. THIS, I really loved, because visiting local markets and nomming on Thai food is by far two of my most favorite lazy activities. And since Rob loves food and was working out like a maniac, my favorite past times seemed like good choices to him too! Plus, these activities pair well with a large Chang beer, and being we just hiked to EBC, we felt we deserved it. 🙂 So after a few day beers, we would head back to meet Dawn and Donovan. Being the incredibly awesome friends they are, they then took us to many of their favorite spots, mixing in some of the “you just have to do it, since you are here- places”. It was all a blast, and the fact that the fit us in with their busy work schedules, meant a hell of a lot! My best friend from Geneva, who also stayed in Bangkok, also trekked out to downtown BKK to visit me and meet my awesome husband. We have damn good friends.

    After all the traveling we had done, we mostly enjoyed the fact that we were in a HOME again. Dawn and Donovan have a killer set-up and let us really just relax in their home, making us feel at home ourselves (since we didn’t have one), which was amazing for us! Dawn has been a best friend of mine for a very long time, but this time around we got to make a couple friend with Dawn and Donovan. Between the four of us, there is never a dull moment. That is for sure!

    After week one, our friends Jenny and Rein flew over to Thailand from Eindhoven for their three week summer holiday. We began our adventure with them with on a bike tour around the outlying city limit of BKK with Recreational Bangkok Biking. It was a really great time! Firstly because we had the most awkward tour guide ever, who didn’t even know how to change a flat, and secondly because it was my first time to really get to hang out with the two of them! Wandering through some of the slum areas of Bangkok and then through the “Green Lung”, we all got to chat and yeah just begin a whole new couple friendship! And thanks Recreational Bangkok Biking, it really was an awesome tour!

    A few days later, we rejoined down in the Gulf of Thailand in Koh Tao. Together, we spent beach days full of laughter, fun, and Chang. Thailand always captures me in a way that is hard to explain. Her beauty is undeniable, but there is also something in her secrets that keeps me waiting to return.

  • The Mae Song River, Laos

    The Mae Song River, Laos

    What was once the considered the soul of the Lao people, the Mae Song, today is considered the soul of the lost. They depise what it has become, because it is now the resting place of unrested souls. Ask me about this.

  • Ta Phrom, Angkor Wat Complex, Siem Reap

    Ta Phrom, Angkor Wat Complex, Siem Reap

    As long as your roots are strong, you can grow any place you like. Lesson learned. Attempting to live the same.

  • Daily Life in BKK

    Daily Life in BKK

    What I have, I most certainly take for granted. Even though I am constantly thanking God for my wonderful family, friends, and the path he has placed me on. As I walk through downtown Bangkok, it is easy to forget where I am… and continue daily life. But then, I have that moment, which comes every time I travel away from my base… Inside my head, I draw a little map of the world… and imagine a red dot in Houston, TX … then a line that crosses thousands of miles of ocean, land, and the 7 billion people who live in this world… all the way to another dot in Bangkok. It is crazy how far away I am. But, I guess coming from such a close family…I never feel that far.

    My everyday encounters can be summed up by the buzz of a foreign language, the strumming of the BTS (public trasit above), Motorcycle Taxis- asking me if I want a ride, searching for a fresh breath of air, smiles all around me, fruit stands, coffee stands, my computer, articles, papers, writing, thinking about life, how blessed I am.

    Just came back from Cambodia yesterday, and that is a whole different story soon to come.

  • Hanoi, Vietnam

    Hanoi, Vietnam

    EasyJet in Europe, easy, AirAsia in Asia, maybe easier. Flying around Asia from Bangkok is so simple. So when planning my next trip, Vietnam seemed a simple choice. The plan was to fly from BKK to Hanoi, spend an evening in Hanoi and then take a 2 day, 1 night trip to Ha Long Bay, then take a train to Ho Chi Minh. Planning was pretty minimal. All I really needed to do was to make sure my flight was booked to Hanoi and out of Ho Chi Minh, and reserve hostels. Easy. For traveling to Ha Long Bay, let me tell you folks, you do not need to book this way in advance. I was on a pretty tight schedule because of school, and I didn’t even book it in advance. All I did, was upon arrival to our hostel in Hanoi, ask our hotel manager “Peter” to arrange the 1 night trip for us. We paid for our hostel, then the trip and out for sight seeing we went. Hanoi, I think, is the most polluted city I have ever been to thus far. Every person is wearing a face mask, trying not to suck in the air. The number of mopeds is really truly crazy, way more intense than Bangkok. But, one thing really cool about Hanoi is street food. The Pho, of course is delicious, but what is even better is seeing people squat to eat it. Like squatting for prolonged periods of time is easier than standing. Funny. Now, even more funny is trying to do it yourself. Try it. Sit sumo squatted with your heels touching the floor while eating. It’s close to impossible for an Anglo. But, the Vietnamese are no stranger to it, it’s their norm. Hanoi, I think, is not what you expect from Vietnam. Somehow, I had imagined Vietnam to be cleaner than Thailand, more pristine. But, it wasn’t. Cleanliness wise, it was a step down, but in terms of edginess, it was lighter and softer than Bangkok. Imagine coughing fumes while swirling in light, that is how it felt. Go to Hanoi, you will love it.

  • Moving to Bangkok

    Moving to Bangkok

    So, I have moved to Thailand now. Why you ask? Well, the obvious answer is for the adventure of it, exploration. How did I get to do this, is probably a better question. I managed this by deciding to study abroad from my abroad study in Geneva. For the next four months, January through the end of April, I will be continuing my Masters Program at Webster, University, here in Bangkok. Lucky for me, I convinced my friend Robby to do his last semester here in Bangkok as well. So, just last week, we hopped on an ever long flight from Geneva to here. We had a 12 hour layover in Qatar, which was quite weird I would say. Our little layover, meant my first steps into a Muslim country, with mosques inside airports, certain types of food, and women covered from head to toe. It was an experience. Something that I am glad I have experienced. While we were not incredibly happy about the food, it was pretty gross actually (I will blame that on the airport, not the country), the people were rather friendly. So, some card playing, a bit of sleep, and some chatting. Perfect. Next stop, Bangkok.

    Upon arriving to Thailand, Robby and I were just so excited! I was literally bouncing up and down at every sight. So excited for the newness and to be on the complete other side of the world from home. As we arrived, Poon from Webster was waiting at the airport for us. Though it took us a while to find him, with no cell phones, no internet, and no way to find someone besides simply using our eyes, we found him. With rumbling Qatari stomachs, we were hoping that the first thing on the to-do list was Thai Food. Unfortunately, Poon was scared to engage our stomachs in any more battles- so he thought McDonalds would be appropriate. Of course he did- I thought. Two Americans- McDonaIds is the answer. Woof. I didn’t have the guts to tell him that I do not eat McDonalds. I mean, the whole flight to Bangkok, I was reading up on courtesies, Thai phrases, gestures, ways of working, the works. So, I regretfully ordered. Ew. But, okay, our American stomachs were fine. After dinner, Poon drove us to our new apartment building, by the On Nut BTS station. Our landlords warmly welcomed us- Sawatikah (head bow), we did it back. And with Robby on the second floor and I, on the third, we settled in our new rooms and new lives. Of course, sleeping is not really an option. I am way to excited. Tomorrow, my new adventure begins.

    Kap kun kah.